Injury Prevention – Car Seats

Did you know that the use of seat belts and car seats is noted as saving over a million lives and widely considered one of the most cost-effective public health interventions? It’s true! And that’s why ensuring all families in Essex County have properly fitting car seats is at the heart of our injury prevention program.

FOR YOU

Essex County Health Department can provide car seats at no cost to low-income and other qualifying families. If you already have a car seat, we also have car seat technicians who can check to see if it is installed properly and securely. This is available to everyone regardless of income. To schedule an appointment or for further questions call (518) 873-3500.

NYS Law by Ages

0-3: Every child ages 0-3 must be properly secured in a federally-approved child safety seat that is attached to a vehicle by a safety belt or universal child restraint anchorage (LATCH) system. A child under age four who weighs more than 40 pounds may be restrained in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.

An appropriate child safety restraint system:

Is required for all children until their 8th birthday and,

Must meet the size and weight requirements for the child based on the Federal requirements and the recommendations of the manufacturer, and

Can be a child safety seat, a harness, a vest or a booster seat attached with the vehicle seat belt or latch system, but not the vehicle seat belt alone, and

Should not be used in the front seat of the vehicle.

A booster seat can be used only with a lap and shoulder belt together.

If all the combination lap and shoulder belt positions in the vehicle are already occupied by children using child safety seats or booster seats, a child who ordinarily would use a booster seat should be restrained using only the lap belt.

4-7: Every child of age 4, 5, 6 or 7, must use a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt or a child safety seat. The child and safety restraint system must meet the height and weight recommendations of the restraint manufacturer.

8: If the child is 8 years old and is under 4’9″ tall or weighs less than 100 lbs, it is recommended that you continue to use a child restraint system.

<12: For maximum protection, children under the age of 12 should sit in the rear seat of the vehicle.

<16: Every child under age 16 in the vehicle must use a safety restraint (seat belt).

Additional Resources

Other Injury Prevention Activities

Bike Helmets – We are a member of Safe Kids Adirondack, a network of community based organizations targeting youth safety in Essex and Clinton Counties. Through this network we offer bike/multi-sport helmets to youth. Call (518) 873-3500 for more information.